Your 5 Star Vacation Home in Venice Florida
Have you ever tried Laughter Yoga? If not, how about joining the Saturday morning class at Centennial Park in Venice? Laughter Yoga is not a comedy. it is an aerobic exercise program for wellbeing and health. Just come by and take part – no yoga mats or fee involved.
Online: recipes4resilience.com
Phone: 203-856-6427.
Location: Centennial Park, 200 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285, USA
Time: Each Saturday morning 10 – 10.30h
The wonderful climate of Florida offers year round running experience. A lot of us select their vacation spot by running opportunies in the neighborhood.
To sporty friends of Forida’s Gulf Coast I can warmly recommend Venice. Within a good 10 minutes you can choose between 5 beautiful nature parks.
Of course you can start your running directly from your door. As there are no canals or dead end streets, a great variety of rounds are possible. The typical American neighborhood with small lakes and unique buildings – new and modern, lovingly restored or aging – has its own charm.
I love to run in a nature surrounding. In Venice, I can recommend the following parks:
The park encompasses some of the last remaining scrub habitat in the coastal area of Sarasota County. Visitors will meet a lot of animals such as Gopher Tortoises, snakes, rabbits, Iguanas, birds – even the famous Florida Scrub Jays live here. With some luck you will see jumping dolphins. A trail system of about 3 miles in total and in 2 courses is ideal for walking, jogging or biking.
This beautiful Trail starts at Woodmere Park and is a an insider tip. Enjoy the quietness and seclusion when running along the creek within lush vegetation.
The almost 2 miles long trail partly leads along Curry Creek within picturesque surrounding. Integrated is a fitness parcours – well kept and usable. Even a small slope is included.
You run softly on pine needles in this beautiful nature preserve at the border of South Venice. Trails are marked and can be combined easily into larger rounds. The typical Florida vegetation is always an experience.
This 210 acre Nature Park is in Englewood, still in Sarasota County and only minutes from Venice. It is beautifully located at Lemon Bay. If you like you may attach a relaxing stroll on the boardwalk trail and enjoy the gorgeous view.
You are looking for ideas what to do with kids and teenagers on a cold or rainy day? How about a visit to Sky Zone Sarasota? This exceptional indoor trampoline park has lots of places to play for all ages to burn off energy. Just put on a pair of orange trampoline socks and here you go!
Have fun with Freestyle Jumping and let go of gravity! It is so amazing!
Next is: Test your parkour skills to the next level. Conquer the tricky curved incline of the Warped Wall. Or battle your friends in the gladiator style combat Sky Joust. Do you think you can keep your balance?
Foam Zone is all about big air and soft landings while with Sky Line you have to manage to keep your balance. Grab a friend and challenge them in a test of strength with a round of Tug of War! In the Challenge Zone you put your coordination and balance to the test across a series of obstacles. Ultimate Dodgeball takes the classic game to a whole new level.
Rock the rim on Skyslam or rip a Dodge Ball as fast as you can at a target in the Speed Zone. Sky Ladder and Free Climb are also Zones that challenge your strength and balance.
The Toddler Zone is an exclusive area for Toddlers to Jump and Play. Separated from the main jumping area, protected from the older jumpers. Parents can watch their child play and interact from the platform directly in front of their little one.
Sky Zone is located on 6180 Edgelake Dr in Sarasota, FL 34240, only a short 30 minutes drive from your vacation home in Venice .
For prices, events and opening hours, please got to their website.
Have in mind that they participate with Groupon – so you might get a deal.
How about combining nature and sports? Do a bike tour on The Legacy Trail! This trail is an 11 mile long bike path, that was built on a former railway. Away from the traffic you roll through wonderful landscape such as the Oscar Scherer State park.
It is so great to hear that Sarasota County is now planning to extend The Legacy Trail and its connections with adding nine miles north to Payne Park in downtown Sarasota. There are also discussions how to improve the connection from the city of North Port in the South. The Legacy Trail currently runs from the Historic Venice Train Depot to Culverhouse Nature Park in Sarasota.
Getting to the starting point at the Historic Train Depot in Venice by bike is easy from Villa Happy Gator. Just cross Shamrock Park and ride along the Venetian Waterway. It will take you only half an hour to the Train Depot. As our guest, you are welcome to use the bikes at Villa Happy Gator. For larger groups we can recommend a trustworthy bike rental.
Here in South Venice we are fortunate to have a real gem for nature lovers right at our doorsteps: the South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve with its 222 acres of protected land along Lemon Bay.
The preserve is nestled in the densely packed suburb of South Venice, is a refuge for several protected animals and plants.
There are several miles of trails through coastal habitats including mangroves, tidal swamp, tidal marsh, coastal hammock and upland communities such as mesic and scrubby flatwoods. On your walk you will have the chance to meet a variety of wildlife such as gopher tortoise, Florida scrub-jay, bald eagle, river otter and an assortment of snakes, including the eastern coachwhip. Also bobcats have been seen there. Boardwalks afford visitors access across the recreated and restored wetland slough.
Be sure to wear sturdy shoes as sand spurs are very common. Also carry some water as you may walk longer parts of the trails in the open. With so much to discover, your walk could always take longer than planned. If you are lucky, a bunch of scrub jays will play their games with you.
The Preserve is divided in 2 parts. Each part has 2 entrances, all of them only minutes from your vacation home Villa Happy Gator:
Northern part:
5472 Kenisco Road + 1101/1199 Ocelot Road South Venice
Southern part:
1101/1199 Ocelot Road + 6200 Osprey Road South Venice
The semi-private Golf Club offers challenges that are guaranteed to capture the interest of the serious golfer as also of the casual player. The character and playability of the 18 hole course was enhanced with numerous expansions, including the additions of strategic water features, fairway and greenside bunkers, configurations of greens, rerouted layout, additional yardage and four sets of tees.
You are welcomed by a friendly staff personnel, even the gators on the back nine seem to smile at you when you go by. The Club does an excellent job with the many golf tournaments they host.
Given the superb condition and affordable pricing, Capri Isles offers one of the best values in Sarasota County.
The restaurant at the Club House is open for breakfast, lunch, and occasional dinners.
Capri Isles Golf Club Features are:
– Full driving range
– Over-sized putting green
– Electric carts
– Pull carts
– Rental clubs
– Full pro shop
Capri Isles Golf Club belongs to “Golf in Venice”, an association of 3 Golf Clubs that provide outstanding court conditions. Members can use all 3 clubs, what is a great advantage.
For more info like directions, booking Tee Times or reserving lessons please go to their website GolfinVenice.
Capri Isles Golf Club is only a short drive from your vacation home Villa Happy Gator. Read more about Golf in Venice on our page “This and That”.
Reconnect your mind, body and spirit with the beauty of nature. Disconnect from any stress and be soothed by the sounds of the ocean. Breathe in the fresh morning air while watching the sun rise and feel the power of yoga – beach yoga. Wouldn’t this be a perfect way to start your day?
Maybe you prefer to stretch and energize your body at the end of the day, surrounded by the stunning nature of our Venice Beaches? Join a Sunset Class and experience the fantastic atmosphere when the sun is going down slowly and enchanting everything with beautiful colors.
There are many great reasons to do Yoga. Yoga is relaxing, it lowers stress, strengthens, improves balance and posture, sharpens awareness and helps one breath better. Beach Yoga provides all of that plus a soft and forgiving surface, fresh air, beautiful views, a connection with nature, sunlight, vitamin D and the company of many like minded new and old friends.
Bring a blanket or a mat, a bottle of water and clothing that allows freedom of movement. The Yoga classes are designed for all abilities and ages. Locals and visitors are equally welcome.
Classes are supported by free will donations.
Join the team of certified yoga teachers:
Nokomis Beach
Meet Katja, Lois and Toby at the North Jetty on Casey Key. For schedule and more info go to northjettybeachyoga.
Venice Beach
Meet Elin at the Venice Beach Pavillon. For schedule and info go to yogawithelin.
Manasota Beach
Meet Katja, Louis and Toby at Manasota Beach. For schedule and info see yogamanasotabeach.
You want to enjoy a terrific golf experience while spending your vacation in Venice?
Waterford Golf Club is a top rated semi-private Venice golf course within two beautiful upscale home developments. It offers distinct picturesque qualities with abundant natural landscape and wildlife.
Each of the 27 holes have unique features and a combination of rolling fairways, undulating greens, hazards and water in play to challenge all golfers. There are no holes contiguous to each other. Play any combination of the Turnberry, Gleneagles, or Sawgrass courses and enjoy the improvement of your golf skills.
The Club restaurant is a great choice whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a full meal. Be sure, you will get something delicious. It is open Monday – Sunday for breakfast, lunch, and occasional dinners. They are also available for banquets and outings.
Waterford Golf Club Features are:
For more info like directions, booking Tee Times or reserving lessons please go to their website GolfinVenice.
Waterford Golf Club is only a short drive from your vacation home Villa Happy Gator. Read more about Golf in Venice on our page “This and That”.
Enjoy the video:
You can fall in love with this beach. Stump Pass Beach State Park is located on Manasota Key, about 20 minutes south of your vacation home Villa Happy Gator. Plan a whole day, so that you can fully enjoy the beach and nature of this beautiful place.
The state park is very well maintained. Ample parking, restrooms, shower facilities and pavilions for barbecue are provided.
Best is to discover the park on foot. Numerous small paths and boardwalks lead to the end of the park at the southern tip of Manasota Key. The further you go from the parking lot, the less people you will meet. Pay attention to the numerous bays. You may be lucky and see manatees or a few dolphins playing offshore. From May to October, you will also find nests of sea turtles, which are always clearly marked by animal friends.
If you like, you can rent kayaks or explore the area with a stand-up paddleboard. For info go to Hookedonsup.com.
For information about the State Park, visit the official FloridaStateParks.org website.
This 614 acre preserve is bordering the wild and scenic Myakka River. While exploring the network of trails, you can see diverse natural communities including hammocks, pine flatwoods and seasonal wetlands and can observe gopher tortoises, swallowtail butterflies, songbirds and wildflowers.
Some trails meander through canopied hammocks, others are open and sunny. At three different locations there is a connection to the river. More than 8 miles of trails are provided and marked.
This beautiful nature preserve is only minutes away from our Villa Happy Gator on 2300 N River Road, Venice, FL 34292.
